1947 Cadillac Series 62

Cadillac offered only one convertible in 1947, the Series 62, but it was no less glamorous or desired than its predecessors. For many Americans, a droptop Caddy was the ultimate way to say, "I've made it!"

Cadillac­ in 1947 was poised to become America's luxury leader. Unlike Lincoln and Packard, which persisted with Depression-inspired medium-price cars, Cadillac returned to pure luxury to prosper in booming postwar America. Soon, Cadillac pulled even further ahead of rivals in both sales and prestige.

The interior of the Cadillac Series 62 was elaborately styled to match the extravagant exterior.

Covertible Cadillacs had long been glamorous dream machines, but unlike the numerous convertibles of prewar times, only one was available in 1947. Priced at $2902, some $350 above the similar '46 model, it was the costliest member of the sales-leading Series 62 line, which then accounted for some two-thirds of Cadillac volume. "Pontoon" styling, new for '42, was making its final appearance, and Cadillac's smooth 346-cubic-inch L-head V-8 was in its next-to-last year. As ever, optional fully automatic Hydra-Matic Drive was a big sales point and increasingly popular. Adding appeal to the '47 droptop were newly standard "Hydro-Lectric" power windows, which joined leather upholstery and other no-cost amenities to help boost production from 1342 in '46 to a healthy 6755.